Fuel economizer



May 14, 1929.

J. A. O CONNOR FUEL ECONOMIZER Filed Aug. 29, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jah A. O'Carz/zar May 14, 1929 .1. A. ocoNNoR FUEL ECONOMI ZER Filed Aug- 29, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet Patented May 14, 1929.

PATENT ortica.

JOHN A. OCONNR, OF CANTON, UHIU.

FUEL ECUNOMZER.

Application filed August 29, i928.

he invention relates to a device for use in furnaces oi' all kinds, and comprises ns lor preheating air and admitting the e to the combustion chainber of the furnace to lfaeilitate con'ibustion, aiding in the burr )ingr ot gases which would. otherwise pass unburnt to the stack.

'lfhe object oi the improvement is to provide blocks oit refractory material within the bastion cliai'uber adjacent to the grate bars, each block having a vertical openingr connected at its lower end to a tube or pipe located beneath the level oil the grate liars and extending through the side walls oi? the li'urnace; a plurality of cups being locate d in superposed position within the vert @al opening in the block, each cup having an opening` in one side or its bottoni pon tion th e tion means being' provided ttor staggering openings of the various cups with relato each other so as to slow down the passage el' air therethrough in order to heat the air. n inverted hollow cap niay be provided upon the top oit each block registering` with the ivi tl wa r lier,

uppermost cup therein and provided i a plurality ot apertures lacing tod the interior of the combustion chanr further object ol' the i1n} 3rovenieiit is to provide blocks as above described, substan loca tially surrounding the grate bars, and to te a tube eoinnuuiicatino" with the atthe the

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trat

tube and preheated and passed out over top oil" the lire in all directions.

n embodiment ot the invention is illused in the accompanying drawings, in

which igure l is a vertical sectional view through the ash pit and combustion chamber ot a lui-nace provided with the improved fuel econoniizer 5 Fig. 2, an enlarged top plan view of one of t :[B

coin

be in he refractory blocks;

3, a plan sectional view through the bustion chamber shown in Fig. l, parts broken away loi the purpose of il lust; ation; and

Ulf O e-, an enlarged detail perspective View ne ot the cups.

Serial No. 302,703.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

ii portion ot a rectangular furnace is illustrated conventionally, the Walls being shown generally at l, the combustion chainbcr at EZ and the ash pit at 3. The usua liriug door d may be provided for charging; fuel onto the grate bars 5 and the usual clean-eut door G may be provided for the ash. pit.

The recuperative blocks indicated genen ally. at 'l' are adapted to be supported adjacent to the grate bars upon shelves as indicated at 8 which are mounted upon piers or the like as shown at 9.

.lfhese blocks inay entirely .surround the grate bars as illustrated in the drawings in order te obtain the niaxirnuin beneiit or the invention although a single row of 'these blocks at one side or end ot the grate bars will produce benelicial results.

Each block is ifornied oi suitable refr-arf tory inat-erial, havingl the central vertical opening l0 therein repfisteringwith the corw responding openingg il in the shelf 8.

A tube in the iorni o'l` a coil l2 extends upward through the opening il and into the lower end of the central opening- 12 of each liloclr as indicated at 13, said tube eX- tendingoutward through the side wall et the furnace as shown. at 141-. where it is open to the atmosphere.

The central opening l() ot each recuperalive block is shouldered, as shown at l5, at a point siliaced troni the lower end, providing; an enlargement oli the opening` as shown at lo extending liroin the shoulder to the upper end ol' the block. l`his enlarged portion of the opening' is provided with. a pluraiity ot spaced angijularly disposed vertical grooves 1'?,

ill. plurality oi? aubstauti:illy crop-shaped. roeuperativc tiles 18 are adapted to be arranged in superposed position within the en-` largijed portion lil of the opening in the block, eatendinlf'g troni the shoulder l?) to a point above the top of the block 7. y

lllach ot these tiles has substantially oneu hall. oi? its bottoni wall eut away, formingl a l alt-round. opening shown at 19. A vertical rib 2O is formed upon the outside oit each ot these recuperative tiles for engageinent in any one oi1 the grooves 1.7 of the block.

ln lecturing` these tiles within the block 7,

the vopenings 19 in the bottoms of the tiles may be staggered With reference to each other as indicated in Fig. 1. By mounting the rib 20 of different ones of the tiles in different 'grooves 17, any desired arrangement of the openings in the tiles, with reference to each other, may be produced.

By thus staggering the openings in the various tiles with reference to each other, it Will be seen that a tortous passage is provided through the tiles, thus retaining the air for a longer period as it passes through the recuperative block, causing a preheating of the air before it is discharged from the block. v j

A cap 2l, also of suitable refractory material, is placed upon the top of each block. This' cap is providedivith a central cylindrical opening 22 extending through the bottom of the cap and adapted toiit over the uppermost tile which protrudes above the top of the block 7.

For the purpose of holding the blocks and caps in alignment, each block may be formed .at its side edges with tongues and grooves as indicated at 23 and 24, respectively, and the caps may be provided with similar tongues and grooves as shown at 25 and 26, respectively.

A plurality of reduced apertures 27 are provided through the inner face of each cap communicating With the central chamber 22 thereof.

With this construction air is drawn in from the outside of the furnace through the coil tubes 12 andrecuperative blocks 7 passing upward through thetiles thereof and being preheated throughout the tubes and tiles as it passes through a tortuous passage from the time it enters the tubes.

This preheated air is discharged from the apertures 27 of the various caps into the interior of the combustion chamber, producing a substantially perfectconibustion and consuming the gases and a considerable amount of the smoke which would otherwise pass unburnt to the stack.

The preheated air is adapted to enter the combustion chamber just above the flame, mixing with the hot gases to produce perfect combustion. By so doing, the flames are drawn toward the blocks 7, relieving the grate bars from the intense heat of the fire.

If it is desired to increase the results above described, a tube 28 may be located through the ash pit directly beneath the grate bars, the outer end thereof registering with an opening 29 in the clean-out door 6.

The inner rend of this tube may be ex tended up vertically through the center of the grate as indicated at 30 and provided with a head 31 located just above the hot coals of the fire. This head is provided with a plurality 'of radial apertures v32 for discharging the heated air from the tube across the fire from the center toward eyery side of the furnace.

A butterfly valve 33 may be provided at the inlet end portion of the tube 2S and arranged to be operated as by a lever lift exy'tended through a suitable opening in the clean-out door. 1When it is desired to open the firing door il, this butterfly valve may be closed in order to cut off the admission of air to the tube at this time.

If desired, any suitable means may be provided for automatically closing the butteriiy valve when the tiring door is opened and for opening the Valve when 'the door is closed.

The blocks 7 may be formed .sulliciently thick toward the 'inside of the furnace to prevent breaking or cracking of the same by contact of a poker or the like in tiring or raking the tire.

Frein the above it will be seen that means is provided for taking air from outside of the furnace, prehcating the air as it` is carried through tortuous paths .in the coil tubes and recuperative tiles and discharging the preheated air into the cmnbustion chamber Where it mixes with the hot gases to produce perfect combustion.

It should be understood that this invention is applicable to any kind of furnace lire box for either high or low pressure, boilers, locomotives, kilns and all types of furnace fire boxes in general.

I claim:

l. In a furnace having a comlmstion chamber and a` grate therein, a recuperative block located within the combustion chamber adjacent to the grate and having a vertical opening therein, a tube comninnicating With the lower end of .said opening and extended through a wall of the furnace, cupshaped tiles Within said openingl each having an opening in one side of its bottom vfall and a cap upon the top of the block having a plurality of openings directed over the grate and con'imunicat'ing with the central opening of the block.

2. In a furnace having a combustion chamber and a grate therein, a recuperative block located Within the combustion chamber adjacent to the grate and having a vertical opening therein, a coil tube communicating with the lower end of said opening and extended through a wall of the furnace, cup-shaped tiles within said opening each having an opening in one side of its bottom Wall and a cap upon the top of the block having a plurality of openings directed over the grate and communicating` With the central opening of the block.

3. In a furnace having a combustion chamber and a grate therein, a. recupcrative block located Within the combustion chamber adjacent to the g ate and having a verlib-i fill tical opening,- therein, a tube communicating with the lower end ot said opening and ein tended through a Wall oit the furnace, cupshaped tiles Within Said openingeach having` an opening in one Side oit its bottom Wall, the openinga in Said tiles being` staggered with relation to each other, and a cap upon the top ot the block having a plurality oit openings directed over the grate and coinmunieating,` With the central opening of the bloc-lr.

Ll. ln a tui-nace having a combuetion chainber and a `grate therein, a recuperative bloclf; located Within the combustion chamber adjacent to the grate and having' a vertical o peiling therein, a tube communieatin;` with the lower end oil' said opening` and en" tended through a Vall of the furnace, cup- Shaped tiles within said opening each having an opening in one side oit its bottoni Wall, 'the openings in the tiles)I being' located at angles to each other, and a cap upon the top olf the block having;v a plurality oi' openings directed over the grate and coinmunicating1 with the central opening; ot the block.

lin a vfurnace having a combuetion chamber and a grate therein, a recuperative block located Within the conibruition chamber adjacent to the grate and having; a vertical opening therein, a coil tube communicating 'with the lower end oit Said opening and ci; tended through a Wall ot the furnace, cupshaped tiles within said openingl each having;l an opening` in one eide ol its bottom Wall, the openings in said tiles being :staggered with relation to each other, and a cap upon the top et the block having a plurality olf openii'ige directed over the grate and coin iniinicatinp` with the central opening oil the block.

o. ln a furnace liaviiig1 a combustion chamber and a grate therein,`a recuperativc ,noch located Within the combustion chainher :uljacent to the grate and having a ver-- u oj'ieningr therein, a coil tubo con'ununicatinp; with the lower end oit said opening and extended through a livall oit the furnace, mup-ahaped tiles within said opening; each having an opening' in one side oit ite bottom wall, the open in the tiles being located at angles; to eac i other, and a cap upon the top o'l4 the block l'iaving;` a plurality of open- (flirected over the ,egrate and communicatin with the central opening` ofthe block. i'. in a 'furnace having` a combustion chamber and a lrgrate therein, a recuperative block located Within the combustion chainhcr adjacent to the ,grate and having a vern ti :al opening' therein, a tube communicatinp,` with the lower end of Said opening and extended through a wall ot the furnace, cupnhaped tilee 'within Said opening each having1 an opening in one eide of its bottom Wall, a cap upon the top of the block having;v a

plurality of openings directed over the grate and coininunicatinn; With the central opening oil the block, the central opening in the block having` a plurality of spaced vertical groeven and a rib upon each tile arranged to be received in any one of said grooves.

ll. ln a furnace having a combustion chamber and a grate therein, a recuperative block located within the combustion chamber adjacent to the grate and having;1 a vertical opening therein, a coil tube communieating; with the lower end of Said opening and extended through a Wall of the furnace, cup-shaped tilee Within Said opening each having an opening' in one eide oi itaI bottoni w all, a cap upon the top oli the bloclr having a pluralityr ot openings directed over the ,grato and communicating with the central ojiening,` of the block, the central opening in the block having a plurality ot spaced ver tical grooves and a. rib upon each tile arranged to be received in any one of said grooves;

9. ln a `furnace having a combustion chamber and a grate therein, a rccuperative block located Within the combustion chainher adjacent to the grate and having a vertical opening"therein, a tube communicating with the lower end of said opening,` and ex tended tlirouegh a. Vall ot the jhilrnace, cup- .ehaped tiles within said opening' each havingi an ojgienine,- in one Side of its bottom Wall, the uppermost tile protruding,` above the top of the block, and a hollow cap littinp,` over said uppermost tile and havinga. plurality of openings directed over the grat-e.

l0. :in u furnace having a combustion chai'nber and a grate therein, a recuperative bloclr located within the combustion chainber adjacent to the `grate and having; a vertical oliieninp,` tl'ierein, a coil tube communicating' with the lower end ol said opening and extended through a Wall of the turn-ace, cup-shaped tiles,I Within said opening,` each haviunl an opening` in one. side oiE ita bottom wall, the uppciuio t tile protrudin i,v above the top olf thehloclr, and a hollow cap iittina over said uppermost tile and having a plurality ol" openings directed over the grate.

1l. ln a furnace having a combustion chamber anda `rate therein, a recuperative block located within the combustion chainber adjacent to the grate and having; a vertical opening therein, cup-shaped tiles within eaid opening each having,` an opening' in one eide et its bottom wall and a cap upon the top of the block having a, plurality of openings directed over the grate and communicating with the central opening of the block.

l2. In a 'lurnace having a combustion chamber and a grate therein, a recuperative block located Within the combustion chainber adjacent to the grate and having a vertical opening therein, cup-shaped tiles Withinfsaid opening each having an opening in one side of its bottom Wall, the openings in said tiles being staggered with relation to each other, and -a cap upon the top of the blockha'ving a plurality of openings directed over the grate and communicating ivi-th the central opening of the block.

' chamber and a grate therein, a recuperative block located Within the combustion chamber adajcent to the grate and having a vertical opening therein, cup-shaped tiles Within said opening each having an opening in one sideof `its bottom Wall, a cap upon the top ofthe block having a` plurality of openings directed over' the grate and communicating With the central opening of the block, the central opening in the block having a plurality of spaced vertical grooves anda-.rib upon each tile arranged to be received in any one of i said grooves.

15. In .a furnace having `a combustion chamber and a grate therein, a recuperative block located Within the combustion chamber vadjacent to the grate land having a vertical opening therein, cup-shaped tiles Within said opening each having -an opening in one side of its' bottom Wall, the uppermost tile protruding above the top of the block, and a hollow cap fitting over said uppermost tile and having a plurality of openings directed over the grate.

16. In a furnace having a combustion chamber and a grate therein, recuperative blocks located Within the combustion chamber and surrounding the grate, each block .having a vertical opening therein, cupshaped tiles Within -said opening each having an opening in one side of its bot-tom wall and a capupon the top of each block having a plurality of openings directed over the grate and conniuinicating with the central opening of the block.

17. In a furnace having a combustion chamber and a grate therein, recuperative blocks located Within the combustion chainber and surrounding the grate, caf-h block having a `vertical opening therein. cupshaped tiles within said opening each having an opening in one side of its bottoni wall, a cap upon the top of each block having a plurality of openings directed over the grate and communiel ting with the central opening of the block, and a tube located beneath the, grate and communicating with the outside. atmosphere, the inner end ol the lube ex-- tending' upward through the. center ol the grate and provided with a head spaced above the grate and having aperturesI around its periphery.

18. In a furnace having a combustion chamber and a grate therein, reciuuirative blocks located ivithin the combustion chainber and surrounding the grate. each block having a. vertical opening therein. eupshaped tiles within said opening each having an opening in one side of its bottoni n'all, a cap upon the top of each block having a plurality of openings directed over the grate and communicating with the central opening of the block, a Vtube located beneath the grate and communicating with the outside atmosphere, the inner end of the tube extending upward through the center of the grate and provided with a head spaced above the grate and having apertures around its periphery, and a valve in said tube.

19. In a furnace having a combustion chamber and a grate therein, recuperative blocks located Within the combustion chainber and surrounding the grate, each block having a vertical opening therein, a tube communicating with the opening in each block and extended through a wall of the, furnace, cup-shaped tiles within said opening each having an opening in one side oil its bottoni vvall and a cap upon the top of each block having a plurality of openings directed over the grate and communicating With the central opening of the block.

In testimony that I claim the above, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOI-IN A. OCONNUR.

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